Professor Patricia Lar, acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, says the university is ready to commence postgraduate degrees in the youth development field.
Lar said the programmes will include a postgraduate diploma (PGD), master’s and doctoral degrees.
She made the commitment when a high-level courtesy and advocacy delegation from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) and the Nigeria Youth Workers’ Association (NYWA) visited the university on Wednesday.
NAN reports that the vice-chancellor said the feat will position UNIABUJA as a pioneer in this vital sector.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the university’s dedication to organising a national stakeholders’ workshop, positioning it as a crucial step toward formalising Youth Work education in Nigeria.
Representing the advocacy team, Despan Kwardem, Director of Education and Training at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, commended the Minister’s endorsement of both the planned workshop and the broader initiative to professionalise youth development work in the country.
He emphasised that this proactive move is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises stronger governance, greater transparency, and improved service delivery for Nigerian youth.
Also speaking, Ben Duntoye, President of the Nigeria Youth Workers’ Association (NYWA), hailed the development as a landmark moment in advancing globally competitive skills and academic recognition for Youth Workers.
He highlighted that it affirms Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive development and long-term youth empowerment
“Driven by the need to build the capacity of Youth Workers, an agenda championed by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), the programme aims to standardise and enhance the quality of Youth Work practice in Nigeria”.
Duntoye also appreciated Prof. Theresa Abok-Akpan, Director of the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement, acknowledging her invaluable support in ensuring the success of the visit.